Admittedly, it was a rather ambitious and, I suppose, pretentious, train of thought to paint broad sweeps of the so-called high and low functions of the societies in Eldwan, according to the changing circumstances that people found themselves in. As with any attempt at characterising societies on a large scale, there are bound to be generalisations and omissions. To counter the most inflammatory notion that some occupations are inherently morally superior or inferior, and that a person's profession limits their ability to do good or ill, I would ask you to examine the original need that the occupation rose to meet. I understand perfectly that not all physicians are virtuous and that some in what may be regarded as less desirable professions are driven there by compounded forces of pecuniary necessity and limited opportunity. But those are secondary situations which do not relate to the core purpose for which the job initially developed.
Pre-Rebellion
I was quite struck by a line that when Adam partook of sin, his occupation was changed from that of a gardener, into a farmer. It got me wondering about what people would have done with their time before the fall, and how that would have had to change after the original disobedience. In the context of Eldwan's primeval paradise, where the Spirits walked amongst humans, one of the central functions would certainly have been worship of the Creator. To this end, a vast variety of practices may have developed from the gifts and ideas of the early evezhen. I have personally fixed on the idea that all art, dance, singing, poetry and other creative exertions in this early period would have expressed praise for the One, the First. So much so that I plan for a common word in Tas Eldwaraj to express both ideas. It's definition would be adapted divergently by the two cultures of course.
The next point is about care for the rest of creation, plants and animals; to be rulers of the earth. This is of course, what the first couple was explicitly instructed to do in Genesis 1 : 28. At this stage, surrounded by the diversity of life in the Garden, it would impossible to ignore the environmental mission.
A final class of pursuits would include those of learning, understanding the natural world, their existence, their purpose and their Creator.
At this point in Eldwan's history, when the divine was so firmly enmeshed with the existence of humanity, there would be little stratification, for all tasks were clearly ordained or in service to the Great Spirits. In that earthly abundance, there would have been no need for jobs to supply the bare necessities of life.
Post-Rebellion
After the expulsion from Eden, the focus of a society would have to shift as a result of their changing needs. In Eldwan, the higher beings no longer associate as freely with humanity and their daily needs are no longer provided. New professions would be forced to develop to meet the needs that were once provided. The gathering professions would rise to centre stage. Agricultural professions, fishing, the collection of water, any task that would be required to supply the bare essentials of life, would be regarded with respect when early man was so strapped for resources. As early societies were so close to the physical poverty line, their focus would have dwelt on such professions. Recalling all the rain deities and fertility deities from various cultures.
Furthermore, construction would have become part of human existence. Building artificial shelters would require another host of occupations revolving around gathering and processing construction materials, designing and assembling buildings.
The higher professions of the harmonious age, while they would still have been revered early on, would have been sacrificed on the altar of necessity, retained in vestigial forms until society assumed the stability required for their dedicated pursuit. The creative spirit of humanity would be quelled under circumstances of comparative poverty. The noble call of environmental stewardship would inevitably be ignored as the selfish nature of the individual simply compounded to result in a selfish human drive at the expense of all other creatures.
Inevitably, man finds more efficient ways of doing the tasks he has before him. Over many years, the gathering professions would become more proficient, and the focus of society would begin to shift away from raw requirements to the creative end of the spectrum. To some extent, this does echo the spirit of Maslow's hierarchy.
As the wealth of cities began to grow to considerable quantities, it would have become necessary to protect them. Militaries would begin to develop. In order to maintain social structure and stability, legal professions would find their footing. Finally, in order to protect life itself, the medical field would have its rudimentary beginnings. After all, there would be little point in acquiring wealth if death looms too near to enjoy it. The more possessions were acquired, the more these 'protective' professions would rise in importance.
Accompanying these 'protective' professions would have been the 'maintenance' professions, which would have a similar function to the 'protective' roles, but less of their glamour because of the objects of their attentions. The technical professions, those who deal with manufactured goods and their maintenance, repairs of tools and devices, and of course, cleaning. Historians could also be viewed as protectors of heritage.
Another group of professions would also begin to surface. As societies grew larger in number and complexity, there would be a growing number of people who had to be involved in what I call 'efficiency' professions. Transport, information brokering, delivering messages, education and so on.
Furthermore, a vein of 'indulgent' professions would have festered beneath the polite veneer, as sin began its dominion of the human race.
Finally, as the aristocracy begins to distill financial hierarchy, the class of oppressors takes place, where some individuals begin to exist at the expense of others. Manifesting in slavery and repression, such clear violations of an individual's rights must have initially appeared grossly incorrect. Desensitisation would eventually have made such oppression the norm among ancient cultures.
The order of importance by which a society arranges these professions reflects its needs and way of life. For example, in societies which were cut off from the divine, as in the pagan Canaanite cultures, the indulgent professions rose to the top, expressing flagrant sin. Their religious rituals were legitimised gratification. Below that, the agricultural professions were also esteemed. I would term these hedonistic societies. In addition, the higher creative expressions which used to be dedicated to true worship, would be dedicated to far inferior causes, for the sake of idols or for a narcissistic admiration of humanity.
After the arrival of the Law, the next type of society would be the Legalistic society, where the religious authority acquires significant jurisdiction. For example, the Israelites living according to the harsh penalties of the Mosaic law. Societies since the coming of the Law oscillate between the hedonistic and the legalistic.
It could be proposed that societies are arranged on a scale. If they have little, they will need to focus on necessities and collection, but as they accumulate more and more, they must dedicate more to preserving what already exists and protecting what they already have. The esteem of professions would shift accordingly. Perhaps, in the final days, the coming Kingdom will restore the pristine order. Until that day, we can observe how the values of nations metamorphose through the prestige granted to the multifarious occupations generated over our history.
Furthermore, construction would have become part of human existence. Building artificial shelters would require another host of occupations revolving around gathering and processing construction materials, designing and assembling buildings.
The higher professions of the harmonious age, while they would still have been revered early on, would have been sacrificed on the altar of necessity, retained in vestigial forms until society assumed the stability required for their dedicated pursuit. The creative spirit of humanity would be quelled under circumstances of comparative poverty. The noble call of environmental stewardship would inevitably be ignored as the selfish nature of the individual simply compounded to result in a selfish human drive at the expense of all other creatures.
Inevitably, man finds more efficient ways of doing the tasks he has before him. Over many years, the gathering professions would become more proficient, and the focus of society would begin to shift away from raw requirements to the creative end of the spectrum. To some extent, this does echo the spirit of Maslow's hierarchy.
As the wealth of cities began to grow to considerable quantities, it would have become necessary to protect them. Militaries would begin to develop. In order to maintain social structure and stability, legal professions would find their footing. Finally, in order to protect life itself, the medical field would have its rudimentary beginnings. After all, there would be little point in acquiring wealth if death looms too near to enjoy it. The more possessions were acquired, the more these 'protective' professions would rise in importance.
Accompanying these 'protective' professions would have been the 'maintenance' professions, which would have a similar function to the 'protective' roles, but less of their glamour because of the objects of their attentions. The technical professions, those who deal with manufactured goods and their maintenance, repairs of tools and devices, and of course, cleaning. Historians could also be viewed as protectors of heritage.
Another group of professions would also begin to surface. As societies grew larger in number and complexity, there would be a growing number of people who had to be involved in what I call 'efficiency' professions. Transport, information brokering, delivering messages, education and so on.
Furthermore, a vein of 'indulgent' professions would have festered beneath the polite veneer, as sin began its dominion of the human race.
Finally, as the aristocracy begins to distill financial hierarchy, the class of oppressors takes place, where some individuals begin to exist at the expense of others. Manifesting in slavery and repression, such clear violations of an individual's rights must have initially appeared grossly incorrect. Desensitisation would eventually have made such oppression the norm among ancient cultures.
The order of importance by which a society arranges these professions reflects its needs and way of life. For example, in societies which were cut off from the divine, as in the pagan Canaanite cultures, the indulgent professions rose to the top, expressing flagrant sin. Their religious rituals were legitimised gratification. Below that, the agricultural professions were also esteemed. I would term these hedonistic societies. In addition, the higher creative expressions which used to be dedicated to true worship, would be dedicated to far inferior causes, for the sake of idols or for a narcissistic admiration of humanity.
After the arrival of the Law, the next type of society would be the Legalistic society, where the religious authority acquires significant jurisdiction. For example, the Israelites living according to the harsh penalties of the Mosaic law. Societies since the coming of the Law oscillate between the hedonistic and the legalistic.
It could be proposed that societies are arranged on a scale. If they have little, they will need to focus on necessities and collection, but as they accumulate more and more, they must dedicate more to preserving what already exists and protecting what they already have. The esteem of professions would shift accordingly. Perhaps, in the final days, the coming Kingdom will restore the pristine order. Until that day, we can observe how the values of nations metamorphose through the prestige granted to the multifarious occupations generated over our history.
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